Monday, January 30, 2017

President Donald Trump has announced that the U.S.
government will stop resettling refugees from certain countries; pause the
entire refugee resettlement program for 120 days; preference religious
minorities; and reduce the number of refugees we welcome at the very time when
they are most in need of safety. These announcements fly in the face of our
best values of compassion, hospitality, and welcome. With more than 65 million
forcibly displaced in the world–the worst in our global history–it is more
important than ever to take action by condemning this new policy.

Barring refugees from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia,
Sudan, and Yemen from resettlement and narrowly preferencing religious
minorities is tantamount to a Muslim ban. And by reducing refugee admissions
from 110,000 to 50,000, Trump is going back on America’s promise to refugees
and abdicating America’s leadership role on human rights. Halting resettlement
for 120 days will grind refugee processing to a halt. Each step of the security
check process is time sensitive, so a pause will force refugees who were set to
arrive in the United States soon to instead wait months and even years to go
through fingerprinting, interviews, health screenings, and multiple security
checks all over again, all while their lives are in danger.

These announcements are gut-wrenching for our community
members who are waiting to be reunited with a sister, brother, parent or child,
and for refugees overseas with no other options for safety than to be resettled
in the U.S. We cannot discriminate against refugees for how they pray or where
they are from. Refugees are the most thoroughly vetted immigrants in the United
States, undergoing biographic and biometric checks, medical screenings,
forensic document testing, and in-person interviews. It is critical that
President Trump and all Members of Congress hear their constituents decry these
announcements and declare their support for refugees from all over the world.

*Please call this line 3 times to be connected with your 1
Representative and 2 Senators

Sample Script: “I’m your constituent from [City,
State], and I support refugee resettlement in the U.S. I am strongly opposed to
President Trump’s announcements to stop the resettlement ofrefugees
from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen; pause the
refugee resettlement program entirely; preference religious minorities; and
reduce the number of refugees we welcome. This discriminatory announcement is
morally reprehensible, runs counter to who we are as a nation, and does not
reflect the welcome for refugees I see in my community every day. I urge you to
do everything in your power to see this announcement reversed.”

Please also share a personal story about why refugee
resettlement is important to you, your community, etc. Let them know the
specific ways that refugees contribute and are welcomed into your community.

Please also join us in tweeting photos at @WhiteHouse using
the hashtag #SolidaritySelfie: 1) Write a short note on a piece of paper –
something like “Refugees Welcome,” “Here to Stay” or “I stand with immigrants.”
2) Take a picture of yourself with the paper. 3) Tweet the photo of yourself,
along with a note, at @WhiteHouse. Make sure to include the hashtag
#SolidaritySelfie!

You can also take action by organizing or joining Rapid
Response Prayer Vigils in your area! Click HERE to learn
more!

More than 2,000 faith leaders have signed a letter opposing
policies to bar refugees based on their religion or nationality, available at
bit.ly/2000FaithLeaders4ALLRefugees. And statements from faith leaders opposing
this announcement can be found HERE.
Responses to the announcement from Syrian, Iraqi, Cambodian, and Bhutanese
refugees can be found HERE.

We the interfaith community express deep concern over the Administration’s memorandum calling for the expedited approval of Energy Transfer Partner’s request to complete construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). Such an action completely disregards the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ finding that to comply with current laws – including tribal treaty rights – a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and consideration of route alternatives is required.

We support the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other tribal nations along the Missouri River who have raised grave concerns about the federal government’s lack of adequate consultation, the desecration of their sacred lands, and the pipeline’s threats to their water supply and the water supply for millions of others. The memorandum seeks to circumvent these concerns.

We oppose that intent, and urge that the Army Corps’ denial of the easement and its Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement be advanced, and neither rescinded, modified, nor withdrawn. We urge the Administration to adhere to these and other processes in recognition of tribal sovereignty, the federal government’s trust responsibility to tribes, and the protection of tribal lands, waters, and culture.

Our nation’s past and present are all too replete with events and decisions that have caused grievous harm to tribal nations and peoples. In this case, much of the land and water at the focal point of the DAPL dispute was taken from the Lakota tribes through the federal government’s abrogation of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868 – an abrogation recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court. Lake Oahe exists only because the Army Corps built a dam on the Missouri River in the 1950s without consent of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other affected tribes. The land dislocated tribal members and flooded lands rich in natural resources, agriculture, and sacred sites. The current memorandum’s intent, if carried out, would add yet another chapter in our nation’s history of injustice to tribal nations and people.

We are called to love thy neighbor, especially neighbors who are subject to systemic injustices, and to till and keep God’s Creation. (Genesis 2:15). We stand with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and other affected nations to affirm their sovereign rights to protect their lands, waters and culture, and prevent the continuation of unjust acts. We oppose the executive memorandum, and urge the Administration to engage in a full environmental impact statement to ensure that our nation’s history of dishonor to tribal nations and peoples ceases, and a new era of mutual respect begins.

Creation Justice MinistriesChristian Reformed Church in North America, Office of Social JusticeDisciples Center for Public Witness (Disciples of Christ)Franciscan Action NetworkFriends Committee on National LegislationInterfaith Power & LightLeadership Conference of Women ReligiousMaryknoll Office for Global ConcernsMennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington OfficePax Christi USAPresbyterian Church (USA)Quaker Earthcare WitnessSisters of Mercy of the Americas' Institute Justice TeamSojournersUnitarian Universalist AssociationUnitarian Universalist Service CommitteeUnited Church of Christ, Justice and Witness MinistriesThe United Methodist Church – General Board of Church and Society

Friday, January 27, 2017

Various media outlets are reporting that Donald Trump will issue an executive order that would reduce refugee admissions, grind resettlement to a halt, stop resettling refugees from certain countries, and preference religious minorities. These proposed changes fly in the face of our best values of compassion, hospitality, and welcome. With more than 65 million forcibly displaced in the world–the worst in our global history–it is more important than ever to urge our elected leaders to weigh in TODAY to oppose such an announcement.

Barring refugees from certain countries and narrowly preferencing religious minorities is tantamount to a Muslim ban. Any announcement to pause resettlement would grind refugee processing to a halt, as each step of the security check process is time sensitive. A pause would force refugees who were set to arrive in the United States soon to instead wait months and even years to go through fingerprinting, interviews, health screenings, and multiple security checks all over again, all while their lives are in danger.

These announcements would be gut-wrenching for our community members who are waiting to be reunited with a sister, brother, parent or child, and for refugees overseas with no other options for safety than to be resettled in the U.S. Refugees are the most thoroughly vetted immigrants in the United States, undergoing biographic and biometric checks, medical screenings, forensic document testing, and in-person interviews. It is critical that Members of Congress hear their constituents decry these announcements and weigh in directly with Trump to urge him to immediately abandon these plans.

Sample Script: “I’m your constituent from [City, State], and I support refugee resettlement in the U.S. I am strongly opposed to the announcement expected from President Trump that would reduce refugee admissions, grind resettlement to a halt, stop resettling refugees from certain countries, and preference religious minorities. This discriminatory announcement is morally reprehensible, runs counter to who we are as a nation, and does not reflect the welcome for refugees I see in my community every day. Please urge President Trump to abandon this plan and do everything in your power to stop this announcement.”

Please also share a personal story about why refugee resettlement is important to you, your community, etc. Let them know the specific ways that refugees contribute and are welcomed into your community.

One of the best ways to make your voice heard is by commenting on a post on the White House Facebook page: Facebook.com/WhiteHouse or submit an electronic message at whitehouse.gov/contact.

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

New OPW Director Insists: "#RefugeesWelcome"

We stand here today on the historic steps of the New York
Avenue Presbyterian Church, a In fact, this church has just voted to become a Sanctuary
congregation.

church where both President Lincoln and President
Eisenhower attended services– and a church with deep roots in working for
justice and peace in our country and abroad.

People of faith have provided safe space and “sanctuary” in
their places of worship throughout history.In ancient times, the Hebrew people had cities of refuge for persons
wrongfully accused of crimes. In the years before the American Civil War,
congregations provided safety for slaves fleeing the South in the Underground
Railroad. In the 1980s, more than 500 U.S. congregations provided safe houses
to Central Americans fleeing civil war but whom our government refused to
acknowledge as refugees.

Knowing that Jesus himself entered this world as a refugee,
faithful Presbyterians have been urging the welcome of refugees and demanding
higher annual admissions into the United States since the refugee crisis of
World War II.

The Presbyterian Church is present in many of the countries
from which refugees and asylum seekers are fleeing.This includes Syria and Lebanon, where we
have been present since 1823. Because we have a presence with people of faith
and communities in these countries, we understand why these refugees are
fleeing and are further committed to welcoming them.

Thousands of Presbyterians across the U.S. have personally
reached out to welcome refugees and asylum seekers.They have seen first hand the struggles and
the determination of our new neighbors to rebuild their lives in dignity.We have also seen how difficult it is to focus
on survival while worrying about family members who are still overseas waiting
for the chance to be reunited. We know that family separation impacts family
members on both sides of the ocean as those who are here must divide their
attention and their resources between establishing themselves here and helping
their loved ones stay safe.

Right now nearly 60 million people are displaced by war and
persecution; 30 million of those displaced are children.Eleven million displaced Syrians cannot go to
school, tend to their land, or raise their children in the place they know as
home. Families are risking their lives and fleeing their homes to seek safety.
They are spending months journeying, sleeping outside, paying smugglers for
safe passage, and praying for a future for their families in a place that is
safe from conflict.Our nation has
historically stood for hope and welcome for those fleeing war and persecution.
We cannot turn our back on them now.

Now is the time for the faith community and our nation to assist
the refugees and asylum seekers who are the most vulnerable population on our
planet. We cannot let the noise of a
fearful few drown out compassion and our firmly held collective values.

We stand with the American people in strong opposition to
the announcement by the president, which turns our backs on Syrian refugees and
refugees from around the world at the very time when they are most in need of
safety.

The refugee resettlement program was started by faith
communities in the United States and this announcement flies in the face of our
values as a church and as a nation.We
are called to welcome the stranger and treat the sojourner as we would our own
citizens.Our nation will be judged by
how we treat the most vulnerable: the widow, the orphan, and the refugee,
during these trying times.

Rather than follow our most base instincts of fear and
hatred, we must send a message of hope and healing, of peace and justice to
those fleeing desperate situations.

Monday, January 23, 2017

Now more than ever your voice is needed in Washington, DC and your local community!

Confronting Chaos, Forging Community

Racism, Militarism, and Materialism

Join us April 21 for Compassion Peace and Justice Training Day at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington DC. Gather with your fellow Presbyterians as we look at how our church and our partners are confronting racism, materialism, and militarism in our country and abroad. In plenaries and workshops we will analyze our current context and offer concrete tools for members and their congregations to address these urgent issues. We will learn how we can “forge community” amidst the current chaos in our country.

After Compassion Peace and Justice Training Day join the ecumenical community for Ecumenical Advocacy Days April 21-24. Almost one thousand Christian advocates join us every year for a weekend of workshops, lectures, and concrete actions addressing the ills of our nation. The weekend culminates in a lobby day on Monday, April 24th when we raise our voices in the halls of power for a more just society.

Registration is filling up fast! For more information and to register for both events click here!

Featured Panelists for Compassion Peace and Justice Training Day just announced:

Amal Nassar

Amal Nassar and her family cultivate peace and reconciliation through children’s summer camps, education for women, and inviting visitors to their West Bank farm called the Tent of Nations. Guided by their desire for bridge-building, the Nassar family has spent 20 years welcoming people from all over the world and teaching those around them in the West Bank about nonviolence, love of the land, and reconciliation, saying boldly, “We refuse to be enemies.”

Elona Street-Stewart

Elona Street-Stewart, Delaware Nanticoke, is a ruling elder and member of Dayton Avenue Presbyterian Church in Saint Paul, MN. She is the Synod Executive for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, following many years serving the PC(USA) on racial justice matters in mission development and support programs. Additionally, for the past 40 years, she has been involved in grass root and national justice advocacy on racial equity, Indian education, family empowerment and public policy. Elona has received many honors, including Minnesota American Indian Parent of the Year 1998, a national PW Women of Faith Award 2010, and a Peacemaker Award in recognition of Mahatma Gandhi’s 147nd birthday. Serving on the Saint Paul School Board for three terms, she was the first Native American elected to an urban school board in Minnesota as well as the first to be installed as a synod executive in the PC(USA). An Upward Bound student from Philadelphia and Occidental college graduate, Elona and her husband, Rev. David Stewart, have 4 children and 3 grandchildren.

Monday, January 9, 2017

As we begin the 115th Congress and a new
presidential administration, we need to do all we can to protect healthcare as
Congress attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Call your Senators
now to protect healthcare. Call 1-888-897-9753. Tell them to vote NO on
S.Con.Res.3.

The Trump campaign promised that no one who currently has
coverage under the ACA would be without coverage under a new plan. The challenge:
Just last week, Congress took the first step in their plan to rush through a
repeal of the ACA in a budget resolution, which would speed up the process of
dismantling the ACA without proposing an alternative.

Legislators are using the budget process to dismantle the
ACA by eliminating tax breaks, subsidies, and more. These changes would further
increase our national debt, and it is a sneaky and irresponsible move by
Congress to dismantle the economic structures that support the ACA.

This strategy is not acceptable
for the millions of Americans who stand to lose coverage. It will spread
fear in 20 million people who receive healthcare through the ACA and countless
others who have benefitted from the ACA. Congress must ensure they have a
viable plan in place to protect the lives of millions of people.

For
more than 60 years, Presbyterian General Assemblies have been calling for
reform of the U.S. health system, urging the establishment of a national
medical plan that will ensure universal health coverage for all persons
residing in the United States. In 1988, the Assembly wrote, “Jesus’ command to
love our neighbor requires persons with plentiful health resources both to
comprehend the condition of those persons without basic health care and to
share the means to health.” In other words, it is our collective responsibility
as a community, and as a nation, to make sure that all people have access to
the means to good health – that is, access to quality, affordable,
comprehensive health coverage.

Call your
Senators now to protect healthcare! Call 1-888-897-9753.

(Call twice to be connected
to both of your Senators)

When you call, here’s what you might say:

“Hi,
my name is [NAME], and I am a constituent from [CITY/TOWN]. As a person of
faith, I believe that healthcare is a basic human right, and a core part of my
faith’s teaching. Please tell the Senator that they should oppose any repeal of
the Affordable Care Act.

Changes
to healthcare should not happen unless there is a viable replacement to ensure
millions of Americans continue to receive affordable, quality healthcare.This is a matter of life and death. Please
vote NO on any legislation that includes repealing the Affordable Care Act
without a suitable alternative in place. Vote NO on S.Con.Res.3.”

About Me

The Presbyterian Office of Public Witness is the public policy information and advocacy office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Its task is to advocate, and help the church to advocate, the social witness perspectives and policies of the Presbyterian General Assembly. The church has a long history of applying these biblically and theologically-based insights to issues that affect the public — maintaining a public policy ministry in the nation's capital since 1946.
Reformed theology teaches that because a sovereign God is at work in all the world, the church and Christian citizens should be concerned about public policy. In addition, Presbyterian forefather John Calvin wrote, "Civil magistry is a calling not only holy and legitimate, but by far the most sacred and honorable in human life."